Actuary Salary in South Bend, IN: $126,390 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in South Bend, IN earns a median $126,390/year (≈ $60.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in South Bend's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $138,434 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% above the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Bend, Indiana, actuarial professionals are projected to earn a median annual salary of $126,390 in 2026, showing a slight decline compared to the national median of $134,160. Salaries in the area range from $74,169 at the 10th percentile to $195,905 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate a competitive local market where actuaries can find work predominantly in consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer, which typically offer higher compensation levels than traditional insurance roles. With a steady growth rate of 3.20%, the opportunities for actuaries in South Bend are promising, reflecting a resilient demand for their expertise in managing and interpreting risk within various industries.
About the South Bend Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,169 | $35.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,933 | $44.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,390 | $60.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,779 | $77.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,905 | $94.18 |
Median Salary Position
5.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Bend
In South Bend, IN, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,736 (2026 est.). At $126,390, the local median is 5.79% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Bend: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Bend Actuary Pay Compares
South Bend median: $126,390/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Bend Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $122,471 | +3.20% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | -5.79% less |
Actuarys in South Bend, IN earn a median of $126,390 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.79% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 3.20% above the Indiana state average of $122,471.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Bend has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Bend, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $126,390 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,434 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,075
2025 BLS Actual
$122,471
2026 Current Est.
$126,390
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in South Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,075 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,767 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,388 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,471 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,390 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,435 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Bend metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $102,075 (2019) to $122,471 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,435 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,360 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Bend metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $74,169 – $92,933 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,933 – $126,390 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,390 – $161,779 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,779 – $195,905 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in South Bend
The job market in South Bend employs around 26 actuaries, offering a relatively niche setting for this profession. The local cost of living index stands at 91.3, suggesting that the purchasing power of an actuary's salary here is slightly above average in comparison to many urban areas. Among local employers, life insurance companies such as Prudential and Northwestern Mutual tend to offer some of the most competitive salaries, while consulting firms are known for bolstering pay through performance bonuses and the potential for quicker salary advancements as candidates progress through exams and attain credentials. With strategic planning—perhaps focusing on specialization (such as P&C or consulting) and enhancing skills in data analytics—actuaries can maximize their pay potential in this market.
More salary data for South Bend, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in life insurance. She specializes in risk assessment and pricing strategies.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $122,471 for actuariesin the South Bend metropolitan area. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for South Bend is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for actuarys (SOC 15-2011).
Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov